CONNACHT HAVE BEEN dealt another injury blow with the news prop JP Cooney has been ruled for four months after undergoing surgery, while Kieran Keane is also sweating on the fitness of several players ahead of the busy inter-pro period.
Cooney has not played for the western province since last May after suffering an ankle injury against Munster and will now face another period on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.
The Tipperary native, 27, had been working his way back to full fitness with Connacht A in the B&I Cup and his club Garryowen but will miss the rest of the season after going under the knife.
Ahead of Saturday’s Pro14 inter-pro clash with Ulster at the Sportsground, Connacht have also issued an injury update on prop Denis Buckley, who is seeing a specialist this week to determine the extent of the ankle injury he sustained against Brive.
Steve Crosbie (knee) and Jarrad Butler are also doubts for this weekend, while Eoin McKeon sustained a calf injury in training last week and has been ruled out of action until the end of January.
On a positive note, Connacht have announced former Ireland U20 centre Tom Farrell has extended his contract with the province up to the end of the 2019/20 season.
The 24-year-old has made over 20 appearances for the province since arriving in the Sportsground last January.
Commenting on the contract extension, Keane said: “Tom has had a good start to the season and has really developed his game during his time with us. He is one of a number of ambitious young players currently in the squad and he has a bright future ahead of him. I am delighted that he has committed to Connacht for the next two seasons.”
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